US reporters fly home from N Korea

Two American journalists freed from a North Korean labour camp have arrived on a private plane near Los Angeles with former US president Bill Clinton.

Euna Lee, 36, and Laura Ling, 32, were pardoned following a meeting between Mr Clinton and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in the secretive Asian state.

The reporters, who work for former vice president Al Gore's Current TV, had been serving sentences of 12 years' "reform through labour" after being convicted of "hostile acts" earlier this year.

Their families released a statement on their campaign website, saying: "The families of Laura Ling and Euna Lee are overjoyed by the news of their pardon.

"We especially want to thank President Bill Clinton for taking on such an arduous mission and Vice President Al Gore for his tireless efforts to bring Laura and Euna home.

"We must also thank all the people who have supported our families through this ordeal, it has meant the world to us. We are counting the seconds to hold Laura and Euna in our arms."

North Korean state media said their release was a sign of the country's "humanitarian and peace-loving policy" and that Mr Clinton's visit would "contribute to deepening the understanding" between North Korea and the US. The report also claimed Mr Clinton apologised on behalf of the women and relayed President Barack Obama's gratitude.

Mr Clinton flew into Pyongyang for his unannounced visit which the US government said was a "private mission". Throughout the day, Washington remained tight-lipped over the trip and dismissed claims the former president had delivered a personal message on behalf of Mr Obama.

The White House said it was "enormously pleased" with the reporters' release but a spokesman reiterated that Mr Clinton did not carry a message from Mr Obama to Kim.

"If there wasn't a message, there certainly couldn't have been an apology," he said.